Fracture apparatus.



N0. 689,83l. Patented Dec. 24, l90l.

J. W. PETTEE. FBAGTUBE APPARATUS.

(Application filed Mar. 5, 1901.)

(No Model.)

TNESSE v I [NI swag? 7 V MIL-LI y dd UNITED STATES P T NT OFFICE.

JOHN W. PETTEE, OF DENVER, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR OF TWO-THIRDS TO GEORGE W. COOK AND SELDEN M. FRENCH, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

FRACTURE APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 689,831, dated December 24, 1901.

' Application filed March 5, 1901. Serial No- 49,796. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN W. PETTEE, a-citizen of the United States, residing at Denver, in the county of Arapahoe and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and'useful Improvements in Fracture Apparatus; and I dodeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to fracture apparatus and contemplates the production of an improved splint adapted more especially for use in connection with fractures of the patella.

The nature of the invention will be readily comprehended,reference being had to the following description and to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan View of a splint embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, certain of the parts being omitted. Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line w 00 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken on line y y of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 5 6 denote, perferably, perforated splint-sections,which in practice are applied above and below the knee, being secured in place by straps 15 16, passed through slots 7. The inner ends of the straps 16 are preferably looped through the slots 7 and held in place by stitching, while the confined portion of the straps 15 is above the section. The sections are made of any suitable material. When made of stiff material, the sections are transversely curved to conform to the curvature of the portions of the leg to which they are applied. Obviously sections of flexible material-will conform naturally to the form of the leg portions and are therefore self-adjusting. Each of the sections is recessed at its inner end,providing therefore centrally of the splint an opening which may be elliptical,

as shown. At the inner end of each section is a flange 8. The flange is cut away or recessed, as shown at 8, the depth being approximately that shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

14 denotes a strap, one end 14 of which is held by a loop 9,formed,preferably,integrally with the section.

The patella is represented by the block 13. The strap 14 passes over the patella, therecesses 8" in the flanges permitting the strap to bear downwardly on the patella. In addition to exerting this downward pressure the strap operates to draw the sections 'of the splint firmly against the upper and lower parts of the patella. is passed through a loop 9 in the other section and finally beneath the serrated jaw of a clasp, the jaw being pivoted in ears 12, preferably integral with the section. The strap is either of itself elastic oris secured in a manner to render it elastic, and the degreeof pres- To this end, the strap sure desired is obtained by adjusting the strap, the adjustment being maintained by the clasp. It will be understood that the patella may or may not extend to the depth of the recesses in the flanges. In no two cases is there the same formation, and the amount of dressing applied will be proportioned to the degree of prominence of the patella. Once properly placed the splint will hold all of the pieces of the fractured patella, regardless of their number, and'by reason of the sectional construction the fracture can be easily and safely examined and dressed by removing one section at a time.

My improved splint, although very efficient in operation, is of very simple and inexpensive construction, and by its use the operation of treating fractures of the patella is greatly simplified and is attended with the minimum of suffering and inconvenience on the part of the patient and a saving of labor and time to the operator.

I claim as my invention 1. A splint comprised of sections adapted for use upon each side of the patella and each provided with attaching means, a yielding clasp for the strap permitting variation of IO member connecting the sections in a manner pressure. to produce pressure against the patella, and In testimony whereof I aflix my signature means for varying said pressure. 7 in presence of two witnesses.

2. A splint comprised of sections adapted I 7 1 for use upon each side of the patella and each JOHN PET provided with attaching means, an elastic \Vitnesses: strap connecting the sections and adapted to l II. J. INGERSOLL, draw the latter against the patella, and a C. H. JAooBsoN. 

